Comfy Curves - info & pattern

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Comfy Curves

Hand-knitted Breast Prostheses

Introduction

The concept of knitted breast prosthetics is now in vogue in the USA, Great Britain and

Australia. My pattern is based on one available online by Beryl Tsang, a Canadian lady who

developed it to address her own need for a comfortable, affordable prosthetic. She created

a simple pattern that anyone can follow, so that a breast cancer survivor, or a friend or

family member, can custom-make a prosthesis. Beryl’s pattern has helped hundreds of

women regain their self-image comfortably. I have adapted her pattern a bit to suit my own

needs, and call my version Comfy Curves.

I want to bring the comfort, affordability and ease of construction of knitted breast

prostheses to all cancer survivors. I hope they will be made and used throughout Nova

Scotia, across Canada, and beyond.

I share my pattern with whoever requests it, in person, by mail and by email. The only

limitation is that it is not to be sold or used for generating profit. I have talked about Comfy

Curves to several interested groups and I have been interviewed by the media. I have

made Comfy Curves for many women, both locally and far away. This is a product whose

time has come, and the interest over the past few months has been almost overwhelming.

I do not charge a fee for my pattern, for my time, or for finished Comfy Curves. I do accept

a small donation to my yarn fund from those who wish to contribute, and I do ask for the

postage to be refunded to me if the Comfy Curves have to be shipped. I plan to continue

doing this as long as I am able, but I cannot do it all. I believe that this should become a

benevolent project in all communities, to benefit breast cancer survivors everywhere.

My objectives for the future of Comfy Curves are:

1. To acquaint more women with the idea of a knitted breast prostheses, which is not

really a new concept. Knitted prostheses are sought after by breast cancer survivors in

North America and abroad, for their comfort, availability and economy, but some

women have not yet heard the news.

2. To enable local knitters in all major communities to make knitted breast prostheses

available to the women in their areas who need them. The Comfy Curves approach is

easy and can work anywhere, whether using the my Comfy Curves pattern, the original

pattern available online, or your own adaptations.

I am willing to assist groups to get started making Comfy Curves for women in their local

areas. I believe that this is possible - and essential - in all communities.

I welcome your comments and suggestions.

Sincerely,

Leota M. Daniels.

telephone: 902-798-5519 email: kldaniels@eastlink.ca

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Comfy Curves

Knitted Breast Prosthesis.

Pattern by Leota Daniels (adapted from a pattern by Beryl Tsang).

Materials

Patons Bohemian chenille yarn . One 80 g (2.8 o A z) ball will make 2 or 3 Comfy Curves, depending on the

cup size.
1 set of four DP needles B, size 4 mm (US #6) or other size to obtain the gauge described below
1 stitch marker
synthetic stuffing or quilt batting
1 or 2 zinc-plated (galvanized) 5/8 or 3/4 in. washers C (optional)
small piece of soft knitted fabric D, about 0.5 m x 0.25 m (18 in. X 10 in.), in a suitable colour
short length of snap-tape (with 3 or 4 snaps)
1 regular sewing needle and thread to match the fabric
about 18 cm (7 in.) of narrow satin ribbon in a colour you like (optional)
Gauge
Counting stitches and rows is very difficult when using chenille yarn at the gauge needed for Comfy
Curves. The gauge method described here will help you achieve the desired results with minimal
difficulty. Cast on 10 st. Work 10 rows in stockinette stitch. Cast off. Measure the dimensions of
the knitted piece. It should be about 6 cm x 9 cm (2d in. x 3ó in.). If it is larger than this, use
slightly smaller needles (e.g. 3.5 mm); if it is smaller, use slightly larger needles (e.g. 4.5 mm).
Size
Directions are for an A-size cup. Additional directions for larger sizes, when needed, are in brackets
(B, C, D). See Note E for guidance in making the sizes, and stitch numbers for larger sizes (e.g. DD).
Knitting pattern
Cast on 3 stitches.
Knit 3 rows in garter stitch.
Fourth row: Increase 1 in each st. 6 stitches.
Fifth row : *Knit 1, increase 1 in next st*, repeat between * * twice. 9 stitches. Divide sts equally onto
3 needles, join work and mark beginning of round with stitch marker.
First round: *Knit 2, increase 1 in next st*, repeat between * * twice. 12 stitches.
Second round: *Knit 3, increase 1 in next st*, repeat between * * twice. 15 st (5 st on each needle).
Third round: *Knit 4, increase 1 in next st*, repeat between * * twice. 18 st (6 st on each needle).
Continue as above, increasing 3 st per round (1 at the last stitch of each needle) until there are 45 st
(15 st on each needle).
Knit 1 round without increasing. 45 st (15 st on each needle).
Continue as before, increasing 3 st per round until you have 48 (51, 54, 60) st [16 (17, 18, 20) st on
each needle].
Next round: Purl, without increasing. 48 (51, 54, 60) st [16 (17, 18, 20) st on each needle].
Last round: Purl, increasing E, F 3 st evenly spaced around.
Cast off loosely knitwise.

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PATTERN NOTES:
A. Choose a colour which pleases you. Another similar brand of yarn (e.g. Lion Brand ?Velvet Spun”)
can be used you prefer, but you will need to use a different needle size or adjust the pattern
slightly to create an appropriately sized and shaped cup. If a suitable yarn is not available in
your area, it can be purchased online (e.g. www.marymaxim.ca ).
B. Long DP needles will be needed to accommodate the many stitches, especially for size D and larger.
The knobs on two pairs of bamboo regular needles can be cut off and the ends sanded to make
DP needles if you cannot find long DP needles. Alternatively, you can switch to a circular needle
when there are too many stitches for regular DP needles. Remember to add 2 stitch markers
to remind you where to increase.
C. Washers are sized by the centre hole. Use your discretion and personal preference to decide how
much weight to add. Size A may not need any weight; DD will likely need two 5/8 washers, etc.
D. Cotton jersey (e.g. T-shirt fabric) is likely to be the most comfortable.
EF. For sizes larger than D, add rounds and increases as needed to suit the wearer. Below is a guide
to help you. As we women know, bra size depends on more than just cup size. In some ways this
pattern is only a starting place - use your judgement to adjust it as needed, so the Comfy
Curve will suit the lady who will wear it.
number of stitches before changing to purl
number of increase
stitches in last purl round
total number of stitches in last
Cup size on each needle total on the 3 needles round (ready to cast off)
A 16 48 3 51
B 17 51 3 54
C 18 54 4 58
D 20 60 4 64
DD 21 63 5 68
DDD 23 69 6 75
F. You can increase knitwise or purlwise, whichever is easier.
Assembly
Secure yarn ends:
Pull the flap at the centre to the inside, secure it to the edge of the centre opening and coil up the
yarn end inside the front of the cup as part of the padding. This flap can be pushed partly out
through the centre opening to form a nipple, or left inside for a rounder look. The knitted cup is
rather malleable, so you can adjust the shape with your fingers as needed. Secure the yarn end at
the outer (cast off) edge and leave it inside of the cup.
Make the weight: Cut a strip of fabric to fit, folded, over the washer(s) with enough seam allowance
to sew the two sides together. If using more than one, place them side-by-side and allow enough
fabric to stitch between them so they won’t jingle. Sew around the edges (and between the washers if

Last updated November 19, 2011 Page 4 of 4

more than one is used) by hand or machine, with the washer(s) in place, to make the weight pocket.
Add a few hand stitches through the centre hole in the washer(s) to prevent shifting.
Shape the cup: Use your hands to mould the prosthesis to the correct shape, adding some padding if
you wish to help hold it in place. Make the cup roundish, and smooth the bottom edge outward slightly.
Choose a top part (avoid the spot where the cast-off finished) and hand stitch one part of the snap
tape onto the wrong side of the top part of the cup close to the outer edge.
Add the back: Cut a circle of fabric 1 to 1.5 cm (ó to . in.) larger all around than the base (outer
edge) of the cup, to make the back. Fold in seam allowance and sew the matching part of the snap tape
securely along the inside of the folded edge of the back. Snap it onto the cup and loosely fill the cup
level full with stuffing. Pin the back to the cup, starting at the side opposite to the snaps, and with
the seam allowance folded to the inside of the cup. Add pins halfway between the snaps and the first
pin (dividing the edge into quarters) and then between each of those pins (eighths). The backing
should lie flat on the stuffing, not loose or baggy and not drawing the cup tight. Adjust the size of
the back to fit smoothly, adjusting the amount folded under as necessary and tucking the extra inside
the cup. Stitch the back to the cup by hand. Make the opening about 1.5 cm (. in.) longer than the
snaps at each end, and reinforcing the start and finish of stitching to made it durable.
Finishing: Make a small bow from the satin ribbon and sew it in place above the snaps. Open the snaps
to access the inside of the cup, and adjust the stuffing as needed to suit the wearer. It does not
need to be stuffed tightly. Insert the weight between layers of stuffing and centred at the bottom.
The amount of stuffing and placement of the weight can be adjusted at any time to suit the wearer.
Your Comfy Curve knitted breast prosthesis is finished. We would be pleased to receive your
comments.
Washing:
Remove the weight and stuffing for washing. Your Comfy Curve can be gently hand washed with mild
soap and rinsed well. Avoid tight wringing, which can crush the chenille. Squeeze in a terry towel,
mould it into shape and air dry. A salad spinner can be used to help remove the excess water.
IMPORTANT: When travelling by air, be sure to remove the weight and place it in your checked
baggage, to avoid embarrassment at security screening.
Left to right:
Knitting in progress
Knitting finished
Back, snaps and stuffing added
A completed Comfy Curve, all
ready to wear.
  (If you find this info helpful, please contact Leona at LINK. She will just be delighted to know that the word is getting out to women,)
© 2011 Leota M. Daniels.